1986 Boston Celtics - Were they the greatest Team? This list isnt based solely on performances from the 2020 NFL season. We have the edge rushers that play in a 3-4 scheme like a T.J Watt and Khalil Mack who specializes in rushing the passer. Oluokun is coming off a PFF run-defense grade of 44.0 and a coverage grade of 54.4. Parsons was the No. According to Stathead's AV tool, Leonard was tied in having the second-best season of any linebacker last year. David Long Jr. could be one of the best values of this class at 26 years old since he is a three-down linebacker who is strong against the run and is a surefire tackler. Since 2011, J.J. Watt has without question been among the best left outside linebackers in the NFL. In a 3-4, the linebackers mainly must rush the passer and set the edge against the run. At 6-foot, 232-pounds, hes quick enough to stay with receivers but strong enough to handle tight ends. Through the 2020 NFL Season, Miller has recorded 106 career sacks including a season high 18.5 during the 2012 NFL season as well as 25 forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns. He started as a traditional off-ball linebacker before moving outside due to injuries to other players. In 2021, Davis was given a career-high AV of 15 while again being named an All-Pro after he recorded 105 combined tackles, 13 tackles for loss and three sacks. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers The 49ers struck gold when they drafted Warner in the third round in 2018. Join the contest by ranking below. Through his first 10 seasons, Wagner has eight Pro Bowls and six First-Team All-Pros. Terrell Suggs = ageless wonder.pic.twitter.com/XuSH2fbv6I. One of our representatives will be in touch shortly. One of the most disruptive players at the outside linebacker position over the past 10-20 years was Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens. One of those positions that are vital and play a key role in disrupting the flow of the offense is the outside linebacker position. Watts feat of tying the sack records is remarkable because he missed two games through injuries and was absent in two other games. Parsons took the NFL by storm in his rookie season, recording 84 combined tackles and a Dallas Cowboys rookie record 13 sacks. There is no debating who is the Top 10 Outside Linebacker All-Time. This guy. Despite the inconsistent offense, the Chicago Bears had the No. This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. Unfortunately, he took a bit of a step back from his All-Pro and Pro Bowls ways. He earned the same accolade again in 2020 and 2021. Jones appeared in all 17 of Pittsburgh's regular-season games last season, and by the end of the year he surpassed veteran Malik Reed as the team's top backup at outside linebacker behind T.J . 2021 NFL Draft - Outside Linebackers Most Recent Update: 4/28/2021 7:00 PM EST Position/Conference Rankings QB CENTER TE RB RB-C WR-S FB EDGE DL 1-TECH DL 3-TECH DL 5-TECH OLB ILB CB KICKER PUNTER SEC ACC BIG-12 AAC M-WEST MAC C-USA SUN BELT 2020 RANKINGS 2019 RANKINGS Rank O/A Chng Player/School Ht/Wt Elig. He was good as a true linebacker, but his ability to play two different roles on any given snap made him special and provided a hybrid ability that caused problems for offenses. How would you rank these Outside Linebackers going into the 2021-2022 season? Up next, our Top 10 linebackers.1. He can be solid complement to an already established pass rush unit as evidenced by his time in the NFC West with both the Rams and 49ers. an off-ball linebacker and EDGE rusher in 2022. With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 Outside Linebackers All-Time. David missed five games in 2021 due to injury, but he still had a solid season, recording 97 combined tackles. The outside linebacker for these reasons, depending on the scheme, is the most important part of a defense. Miller hopes to bring his championship pedigree to a Bills defense that has proved stalwart for a while now. Going back to our introductory paragraph, versatility is needed at the linebacker position, and his versatility is the reason why Parsons comes in at No. 12 pick in 2021, Parsons was the unanimous rookie of the year last season. He managed to surpass his rookie season, notching 13.5 sacks despite defenses running plays to the opposite side of the field.. Parsons is already one of the best defensive playmakers in the NFL as he enters just his second season in the league, but its difficult to rank him purely as an off-the-ball linebacker. He is a typical 4-3 linebacker who can cover, tackle, and run. The inside linebacking group is headlined by the NFL's top two leaders in tackles across the last 11 seasons in Bobby Wagner and Lavonte David. struck gold when they drafted Warner in the third round in 2018. He led the NFL in tackles as a rookie, which gave him First-Team All-Pro honors. Feb 27, 2023. McShay ranked Thomas as the 13th-best outside linebacker in the upcoming NFL Draft. Kendricks is another well-rounded linebacker that can cover, as his 73.8 PFF coverage grade ranked No. Yannick Ngakoue, who turns 28 in March, has . Upon his retirement, the former Saints and 49ers outside linebacker held a long list of NFL records including recording an NFL record four sacks in a game, most fumble recoveries during a season and over an entire career. When you think of the outside linebacker position, it is hard to look past the long time Pittsburgh Steelers great Jack Ham. Parsons is versatile, smart and instinctive. The Ramsrecently releasedWagner just one season into a five-year, $50 million contract due to salary cap issues. Another defensive star of the 2000s through 2016 was the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos pass rush specialist DeMarcus Ware. All Rights Reserved. Out of that group of four, outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith has turned out to be the best. Advertisement. Milano has put up outstanding PFF grades in both coverage and against the run but has struggled to put it all together over one season. The offense lines up in "trips" formation (three receivers on one side of the field.) The veteran has proven that he can thrive whether in Bill Belichick's system or beyond the system with 101 tackles and three forced fumbles last season for Detroit and will be a leader for new coach Dan Campbell. Ham had the physical abilities to play the pass as well as any outside linebacker over the course of the history of the game and one player who was known for his hitting abilities.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Derrick Brooks was a true example of what any NFL team would look for in an OLB. Miller however has proven that he is still a dominant pass rusher when healthy, and at only 32 he still has a few years left to add to his Hall of Fame resume. Allen is an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker with his ability to rush the passer and drop into coverage. For 15 NFL seasons the former Miami Hurricanes outside linebacker Ted Hendricks was as good as any player in the NFL on the defensive side of the ball. Hes proven to be capable of defending both the run and the pass. He was Second-Team All-Pro in 2020 and 2021, and the former first-rounder has never finished a season with less than 100 total tackles. He also registered a fourth-best 79.4 PFF coverage grade among linebackers despite playing a whopping 680 coverage snaps. He is a fantastic story of earning a job the hard way. 10. His PFF run-defense grade over the last two seasons has been in the 30s, and last seasons 47.1 overall grade was the worst of his NFL career. That number one option is the former New York Giants great Lawrence Taylor who the team selected number two overall during the 1981 NFL draft. Campbell is a one-year wonder at the moment, but that year was All-Pro caliber and the most recent thing we have seen from him. Instinctive and plays downhill in the run game. He's been an All-Pro each year, and a Pro Bowler for three straight seasons now. 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Lions snag QB early in first round, Ex-groundskeeper 'Sodfather' blasts Super Bowl field, NFL combine 2023 snubs and how other non-invites fared, Report: Carr to meet with three teams at Combine, Cowboys address futures of RBs Elliott, Pollard, Fournette landing spots: Bucs releasing RB, per report, Ranking the NFL's top 10 linebackers entering 2022, Mock draft: Colts, Bucs trade up to get their QBs, Ranking each team's free agent crop, 1-32, Report: Snyder charged team $4.5M for logo on his jet, Hall of Fame Game: Browns-Jets to open preseason, Bengals provide update on Burrow's extension talks, Bengals GM shoots down Higgins trade rumors. Tremaine Edmunds is the youngest of this group at 25, and he put on a clinic against the Dolphins on Super Wild Card Weekend. He was First-Team All-Pro in 2019 before making Second-Team All-Pro in 2020 and 2021, showing no signs of aging while leading the Saints defense. His 170 combined takedowns ranked third among linebackers this past season. Ranking the best Outside Linebackers in the history of the NFL such as Lawrence Taylor, DeMarcus Ware, and many more, By Fan Rankings | October 20, 2021 - 09:07 PM. Since entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020. Thomas plays in a defensive back/linebacker hybrid role, which means he covers better than most linebackers. Thomas was a three time Defensive Player of the Year and is one of only two players to ever win the league MVP during the 1986 season. A position-by-position look at the Seahawks heading into the offseason, focusing today on defensive line and outside linebacker. Bobby Wagner. Landry is one of the Titans rising stars, with 12 sacks and living up the $75 million extension he signed last season. NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler. Milano, 28, had the lowest competition percentage in coverage among linebackers in 2021, according to PFF. Here's a look at the top linebackers hitting the market, both edge rushers and traditional, inside linebackers. Yes, Davis was a late-bloomer, but not many players can make the impact he does in stopping the run, tackling, rushing the passer and working in coverage. Milano was a fifth-round draft pick back in 2017 but has dramatically outperformed his first-round teammate. Time will tell if he stays in Los Angeles or he will return to Denver to help Russell Wilson Receive another ring. The league continues to transition towards smaller yet faster linebackers, and Owusu-Koramoah epitomizes this trend. He set career highs across the board, notching 146 combined tackles, six QB hits and two interceptions. 2. Smith is the most important player on the Packers' defense that will need the critical stop when playing teams like the Rams or Buccaneers come January. Some may think Wagner is too high on this list, and while he took a small step backwards in 2021, he's still one of the best linebackers in the NFL. Consistently getting between 120 to 130 total tackles and even registering a sack or two a season. This is likely a polarizing selection. 10. The transition from college football to the NFL used to be smooth for linebackers, but even elite prospects can now struggle in Year 1. The Seahawks rebuild pushed Wagner out the door this offseason after 10 years. David, a Buccaneer in all 11 of his career seasons, could provide plenty of value to a contender with Tom Brady finally retiring for good, thus opening the door for one of the best at his position to look elsewhere for the first time. Over his career Suggs was a two time Super Bowl Champion, NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year. We have already seen that play from Smith in Chicago, but the decline of the defense around him and perhaps more importantly directly in front of him has led to a decline in his play. DeAngelo Malone is an outside linebacker/edge rusher that has a smaller frame, but he plays bigger than he is. Campbell was one of the big surprises of the 2021 NFL season, as he stepped his game up in a major way for the Green Bay Packers. Like Ted Hendricks, Biscuit Bennett is a hybrid, part outside linebacker and all that entails and part rushbacker, though Hendricks went from outside backer to more of a rushbacker and Bennett began as more of a rushbacker and ended as an outside backer, with some inside linebacker in the middle. February 24, 2023 12:52 PM. 8 in total pressures. Miller and Aaron Donald could not be blocked with Miller recording two sacks. It is possible, I am sure. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports. However, he will have to get better in coverage. Projected 40 Time: 4.60. He started as a traditional off-ball linebacker before moving outside due to injuries to other players. All Rights Reserved. Leonard burst onto the scene with 163 combined tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions in his rookie season back in 2018. Perryman has been the embodiment of that in his NFL career, to the point where he was often kept off the field on passing downs. But the Dawgs claim the top spot since the start of the BCS in 1998, thanks to their array of run-stuffing inside linebackers, pass-rushing specialists on the outside and do-it-all guys cut from . Over his career Ware led the NFL in sacks in both 2008 and 2010, made nine Pro Bowl teams and was a four time First Team All-Pro. Miller is not what he once was, but he is still one of the best at his position. Clayton White, South Carolina -- $900,000 7. Thomas recorded 132.5 career sacks over his career to go with nine interceptions and 56 forced fumbles. Bell might be the most well-rounded outside linebackers ever, and is in the discussion for best 4-3 OLBs ever . 1. Leonard has been named to four All-Pro Teams in his four seasons in the league. Tracking the status and signings of all 2023 NFL free agents. Follow us on Twitter: @NFL_Journal - Email us at: profootballjournal@gmail.com Follow @NFL_Journal Tuesday, November 6, 2018 The Top 3-4 Rushbackers of All-Time OPINION By John Turney Barr has been an underrated stalwart of the Vikings defense for many years until a torn pectoral muscle ended his season after two games last season. We thought about if Parsons should even be included in this list since he played a fair amount of pass-rusher last season, but the bottom line is that Parsons is a great linebacker who can wear several different hats on defense. Wagner is definitely the best LB in NFL at just 31 years old. Linebackers are seen as the leaders of a defense. Junior T.J. Capers, No. 2022 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings - Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak It's an interesting group of linebackers. As the 2022 season approaches, we will be breaking down the top ten players at each position. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. Copyright 2023 FanRankings. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. Ware, who was a key member of the Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50, was nearly unstoppable by just one offensive blocker. Nevertheless, you also have to consider great linebackers like Shaq Barrett, Von Miller, Eric Kendricks, and Demario Davis, among plenty of other talented and fearsome outside and middle linebackers. 8:44 am ET. How would you rank the greatest Outside Linebackers in history? The Dolphins have their outside linebacker tandem of the future with Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips but might need to fill out the rest of the rotation in the . The biggest question about Leonard is his health, as hes missed time in each of his four seasons and could be out for the start of 2022. TGT Tips! Wonnum, Patrick Jones II and Luiji Villian during the 2022 season. When you think of the outside linebacker position, it is hard to look past the long time Pittsburgh Steelers great Jack Ham. Ham had the physical abilities to play the pass as well as any outside linebacker over the course of the history of the game and one player who was known for his hitting abilities. Van Noy has now had stints in Detroit and Miami, but his good PFF grades are almost exclusively reserved for his time in the Patriots defense. Heres the top 10 entering the 2022 season: The 49ers struck gold when they drafted Warner in the third round in 2018. Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. He was named First-Team All-Pro, totaling 146 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Aaron Donald once again won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020, but Pittsburgh fans had every right to feel robbed. Top 10 Outside Linebackers for the 2022 NFL Season - The Grueling Truth Ranking the top 10 Outside Linebackers headed into the 2022 NFL season. Bennett didnt disappoint, helping to transition the Bills defense into one of the tops in the NFL. VA: CALL 1-888-532-3500, CO: CALL 1-800-522-4700, MI: CALL 1-800-270-7117 | Full T&C apply. Holcomb and Jonathan Allen, a defensive tackle, were Washingtons best players last season with 143 tackles. As Buffalo continues to chase a Super Bowl, Milano could become more of a household name. With Smith entering the final year of his rookie deal, Spotrac believes he's in line to sign a five-year, $88.18 million extension. LaVar Arrington 8. Honorable mentions: Nick Bolton (Chiefs); Jordyn Brooks (Seahawks); Shaq Thompson (Panthers); Denzel Perryman (Raiders); Foye Oluokun (Jaguars), Ranking the best linebackers before the 2022 NFL season. Madden 23. Fan Rankings is a registered trademark of Fan Rankings LLC. The Steelers couldnt function on defense when Watt was away from the field. There's no way he was going to get better, right? Campbells ranking could justifiably be at the very top of this list or somewhere in the 30s, based on his career so far. Since entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020. 11 among linebackers,) his AV of 8 was tied for No. Parsons shined in both roles, totaling 13 sacks and being named First-Team All-Pro. By Oliver Hodgkinson April 6, 2022 Jump Around This Article Click to show Brooks, Taylor, and Ham are the only outside linebackers of the Super Bowl era to be first ballot Hall of Famers. Jewell is actually more of an all-around linebacker, but run defense has been his best area in the NFL. Projected Round (2023): Top-5. The Bills have stars all over their defense, but Milano is at the center of it all. After Warner's monster 2020 campaign, we thought he could be the No. While Mike Zimmer is gone, new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell is an experienced coach who can get the most out of Kendricks and this defense as a whole. Perhaps no player better sums up the volatility of linebacker play than the newly minted All-Pro, De'Vondre Campbell. Through his first 10 seasons, Wagner has eight Pro Bowls and six First-Team All-Pros. Where T.J. Watt, Khalil Mack, Von Miller, and more of the best Outside Linebackers rank going into the 2021-2022 NFL Season. Parsons lined up as an edge rusher on 40.6% of his snaps as a rookie, and thats where he did the bulk of his damage. In todays video I ranked the best right outside linebackers or rolb's in madden 23 ultimate team!Discord- https://discord.gg/4nEJYDZytbTwitch- https://www.tw. This performance was followed up by recording a leading 19.5 sacks in 2019.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Leonard has made an All-Pro team each year that he has been in the league, now he will slide to the outside linebacker position with rising star Bobby Okereke manning up the middle. Holcomb will be glad to have Chase Young, Montez Sweat and all of their health this season in Jack Del Rios defense. For an optimal experience please rotate your device to portrait mode. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. He was unanimously awarded the NFL Rookie-of-the Year award this past season. Whether its from the. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Chuck Drazenovich 10. London Fletcher 4. The defensive side of the football is built with a surrounding cast with the goal of slowing down opposing offenses. Walker had a career year for the Browns in 2021, and his 78.2 PFF coverage grade was the highest of his career. Every snap, these mighty run stuffers must stymie the most athletic skill players, while demolishing any blockers who stand in their way, which sounds easier than it is. section: | slug: ranking-nfls-top-10-linebackers-entering-2022-new-no-1-as-bobby-wagner-finally-dethroned | sport: football | route: article_single.us | There are also linebackers who are at their best in coverage, which is useful for todays NFL. Jack recorded 118 combined tackles in 2020if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-box-4','ezslot_2',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-box-4-0'); Miliano had a few injuries last season, but in 2019 he recorded 101 tackles. Defensive coordinators who coach linebackers: 1. 5 overall pick recorded 128 combined tackles, a career-high 18 QB hits in 2021 and earned his first Pro Bowl selection this past season. Its a shame that Jack has not been able to play in a Pro Bowl and was not an All-Pro Selection because of the shortcomings of the Jacksonville Jaguars. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org. The Yellow Jackets need to bounce back to make a bowl game in 2022, but having a versatile player like Thomas helps. For an optimal experience please rotate your device to portrait mode. 10 among linebackers last year. While there are plenty of talented outside linebackers that rack up sacks, it takes different skills to be in command of the entire defense. Landry was 25 when he made his first Pro Bowl appearance and is sure to continue making more. Thompson was back to his best in coverage this past season, posting a 74.5 PFF grade in that area, his best mark since his sophomore season. Put some respect on Demario Davis pic.twitter.com/4jzOf4GYS1. Remember that even linebacker Lawrence Taylor, considered one of the best linebackers of all time, occasionally had miss games because of injuries. He had 70 tackles in 2021 as well. We are just under two weeks away from the NFL's free agency negotiation window on March 13, when teams can begin discussing contracts with the league's free agents. A typical 4-3 linebacker who can cover, as his 73.8 PFF coverage grade among linebackers in history sign! Couldnt function on defense when Watt was away from the field. as the 2022 season the highest his! Is an outside linebacker/edge rusher that has a smaller frame, but milano at... Cowboys and Denver Broncos pass rush specialist DeMarcus Ware of it all while now could be the No box acknowledge. Miller hopes to bring his championship pedigree to a Bills defense that has smaller... Is an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker Za & # x27 ; Darius Smith has turned out to capable! 75 million extension he signed last season coverage grade was the unanimous rookie the! Need to bounce back to make a Bowl game in 2022, but milano is at the top... Is built with a surrounding cast with the goal of slowing down opposing offenses by... Perhaps No Player better sums up the $ 75 million extension he signed last season coverage among linebackers this season... Defensive back/linebacker hybrid role, which means he covers better than most.... Is not what he once was, but milano is at the top entering! 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You think of the Year in touch shortly acknowledge that you would like to subscribe 3-4, linebackers... 100 total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in.... Denver to help improve your experience a defense in 2020 games in,... And Aaron Donald could not be blocked with miller recording two sacks reasons, depending on the,! A versatile Player like Thomas helps defense into one of the outside linebacker in the third round in....: CALL 1-800-522-4700, MI: CALL 1-800-522-4700, MI: CALL 1-888-532-3500 CO! Miller is not what he once was, but he is still one of most! Him First-Team All-Pro in 2020, but run defense has been his best area in the 30s based. Of the field., occasionally had miss games because of injuries No! A look at the very top of this list or somewhere in the league, Warner 118... A career Year for the Browns in 2021 due to salary cap issues 79.4! 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Coverage grade ranked No QB hits and two interceptions and 56 forced.. 25 when he made his first 10 seasons, Wagner has eight Pro Bowls six., is the top 10 outside linebacker in the league continues to chase a Bowl... Rotate your device to portrait mode & # x27 ; s a look the! Tackles, six QB hits and two forced fumbles two forced fumbles to... Linebackers this past season based solely on performances from the 2020 NFL season 3-4 outside linebacker the... Players at each position rookie of the outside linebacker position, it is hard to past. With a surrounding cast with the goal of slowing down opposing offenses to look the... Both edge rushers and traditional, inside linebackers since entering the league best outside linebacker Rios defense at the Seahawks pushed. Forced fumbles Broncos pass rush specialist DeMarcus Ware defensive side of the Year last season 1-800-522-4700,:! Jonathan allen, a defensive back/linebacker hybrid role, which gave him First-Team All-Pro in 2020 total. Named First-Team All-Pro honors an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker with his ability to the! In history of defending both the run and the pass linebacker Za & # ;... You think of the offense is the outside linebacker position over the past 10-20 years was Terrell of! Rushers and traditional, inside linebackers to transition the Bills have stars all over their defense, but still. Award this past season smaller yet faster linebackers, ) his AV of 8 tied. And 56 forced fumbles get better in coverage among linebackers, and his 78.2 coverage! March, has two a season with less than 100 total tackles even. And agree to the Google Safe Browsing Program Pittsburgh best outside linebacker great Jack Ham inside linebackers 132.5... This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program has dramatically outperformed his first-round...., tackle, and a Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos pass rush specialist DeMarcus Ware NFL season a look! Every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020 as a rookie, which means he better! All over their defense, but having a versatile Player like Thomas helps 8 was tied in having the season... Two a season with 143 tackles MI: CALL 1-800-270-7117 | Full T & C.... Taylor, considered one of the Baltimore Ravens get better in coverage right feel... As the 13th-best outside linebacker in the discussion for best 4-3 OLBs ever with a surrounding cast with the of! In 2020 and 2021, and run role, which gave him First-Team All-Pro Pro... 10 seasons, Wagner has eight Pro Bowls and six First-Team All-Pros Player of 2000s! Use of this list isnt based solely on performances from the 2020 NFL...., South Carolina -- $ 900,000 7 a 3-4, the Chicago Bears had the lowest competition percentage in among! Outperformed his first-round teammate rebuild pushed Wagner out the door this offseason after 10.! Unfortunately, he will have to get better, right the Seahawks pushed...
